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Smoking & How to Quit

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Have a helpful hint or motivating thought to share? Tell us your story. Encourage others. Share strategies for quitting smoking. This area is for you.

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Hello everyone I am getting ready to quit. I have started cutting back on the number of cigarettes I smoke and have also started smoking outside. I am 26 and have smoked since I was 14. I am excited about quiting, but I am not looking forward to the craving and withdrawls. Good luck to everyone.

Wendy

Today is my 41st day without smoking. This isn't as easy as I thought it would be. I have been craving cigarettes bad for the last 4 days. I've had a bit of nicotine gum to help me get through. I'm a very young 50 and started smoking when I was 13. When I was 4 I couldn't wait until I grew up so I could smoke. I always loved smoking. It was my best friend. It didn't seem to be affecting my health much. I did quit sort of for a few months when my dad died from lung cancer but I was taking wellbutrin and hated it and stopped taking it and started smoking again when it wore off. I know that everybody who smokes doesn't die from it and I was betting that I was one of the lucky ones. A few months ago I had a swollen lymph node in my arm pit and finally went to the doctor. She had me get a CT scan on my chest and my chest was fine but my kidney had a tumor on it that looked like cancer. I always said I would quit if I got cancer. Looking back on it that was pretty stupid. Fortunately they caught this very early and scheduled laprascopic surgery to remove the tumor. It was cancer. They got it all. The month before the surgery the thing I was most worried about was quitting smoking. I did a gradual cut down on the cigarettes. 20% fewer every 10 days. I was down to 5 a day right before the surgery. The cut down worked very well for me. I learned how to deal with the cravings and the triggers (which were everything for me). I was unconcious for most of the 1st day of quitting. I think this may have been the only way I could have done it but I don't recommend it. Surgery isn't fun. I was about to go find a cigarette somewhere but thought I should read stories first. Thanks for helping me make it through a few more minutes. Good luck to all of you. Hang in there. It is very hard. I'm very proud of you and me.

Anonymous

I didn't think that I was ready to quit again. I had quit for 5 years and took that one cigarette at a party and it tasted great so I went back to smoking. Now three years later I have to have a pre-cancerous spot removed from my tongue. This was the motivation I needed. I quit just yesterday and my surgery is in 8 days. I admit the cravings are terrible, but they couldn't be nearly as bad as oral cancer.

Anonymous from Pennsylvania

I am a 33 year smoker, and I stopped smoking 4 days ago. I will admit that I sneaked two cigarettes, but they didn't make me feel better. They made me feel worse! This is so hard. Sometimes, I don't know if I can do it, but reading about other people's successes have helped. My husband has smoked 34 years and stopped four days ago as well. We are taking a smoking cessation product my doctor prescribed which has helped. Neither one of us are jumping down each others throats.

Kathy from Texas

I am smoke-free for two days now. It doesn't seem like that long, but it feels like forever to me. I am 27 and smoked about two packs a day. I have just recently become very sick and have not been able to breath. I knew that, at the age of 27, not being able to catch my breath was not a good thing. I am looking forward to the advantages of not smoking and hope I can get through this. Good luck everyone because I know I sure need it.

Ami from North Carolina

Hello everyone, I too am two days smoke free. I am currently dealing with cravings for nicotine, but I have a perscribed method from my Doctor. This helps me a great deal with the urges. I love to crotchet and do Suduko puzzles, so that helps keep my hands and mind busy. I'm on the right track and plan on staying there. I am sooo tired of smoking period.

Kathleen from Maryland

I smoked consistently for about four years, at least three fourths a pack a day plus a couple years on and off before that. I put my foot down that I was going to be a NONSMOKER and let everyone know about it, including coworkers, family, even strangers... I counted the minutes at first, then hours and minutes, then days and hours and minutes, you get the picture! I am now smoke free for over four months! (4 mo. 1 wk. 4 days 19 hours to be exact) I made it into a game. I don't really count that often anymore. I didn't remember food tasting so good! I can smell so much better! When I have an urge, I do some form of exercise for a couple minutes... When my aunt got sick of hearing me count she said it was my turn to listen. After 26 years of not smoking, she hasn't had one in over a month! Positive reinforcement is the key. BE A STRONG SUPPORTER!!!

Elizabeth from Illinois

I've been smoke free for almost 4 weeks. I gave it up for lent and now giving it up for good!! Next I have to get my wife to stop. Hang in there everyone, it gets easier.

David from New Jersey

I know that quitting smoking is very hard. I tried everything, the patch, medicine, cold turkey, and many other items which are available. I finally gave up thinking I could not do it until someone suggest hypnosis. One year ago today March 20th, I went to a group hypnosis session. Yes I was very skeptical and thought this won't work. Boy I was wrong it did work and I have not had a cigarette for one year. If I knew this I would have done this long ago, it was the easiest way I ever tried. I feel like I have never smoked, I do not get urges, I am able to be around other smokers and not want one. With the price of cigarettes I am glad I quit when I did. If anyone is trying to quit don't give up if you fail, just keep trying.

Michele from Delaware

I was a smoker for 33 years and thought it would never be possible to stop smoking. My husband is not ready to quit yet so he is still smoking. Last year I had a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) and a subsequent test revealed that my right carotid artery is totally blocked. I am only 46 years old and that was a real wake up call because there is nothing they can do at this point because it puts me at a greater risk of stroke. I am happy to report that I am 48 days as a non smoker now. I will not allow myself to ever smoke again.

Robin from Colorado

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Content last updated April 21, 2007.

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